Reference:116619LB: Difference between revisions
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The 116619LB is the white-gold Submariner Date with a blue dial and blue Cerachrom bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008 alongside the yellow-gold 116618, before ceramic bezels reached the steel Submariner in 2010. “Smurf” is a collector nickname for the blue-on-white-gold combination. The 40mm case uses caliber 3135 and a Glidelock-equipped white-gold Oyster bracelet. | The 116619LB is the white-gold Submariner Date with a blue dial and blue Cerachrom bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008 alongside the yellow-gold 116618, before ceramic bezels reached the steel Submariner in 2010. “Smurf” is a collector nickname for the blue-on-white-gold combination. The 40mm case uses caliber 3135 and a Glidelock-equipped white-gold Oyster bracelet. | ||
The 116619LB | The cited 116619LB records show a blue lacquer dial with a matching blue bezel throughout the reference. Diamond-marker examples and service replacements should be checked against the individual watch; the cited factory record does not establish a black-dial 116619LB. | ||
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The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold [[Reference:116618|116618]], the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; Tom Mulraney's Submariner history for Monochrome (2020) puts the Rolesor [[Reference:116613|116613]] at 2009 and the steel 116610 at 2010. Cerachrom had reached Rolex three years earlier, on the 2005 GMT-Master II 116718LN, per the same Monochrome history. | The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold [[Reference:116618|116618]], the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; Tom Mulraney's Submariner history for Monochrome (2020) puts the Rolesor [[Reference:116613|116613]] at 2009 and the steel 116610 at 2010. Cerachrom had reached Rolex three years earlier, on the 2005 GMT-Master II 116718LN, per the same Monochrome history. | ||
Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. | Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. Its white-gold case can look similar to steel in photographs, but the metal, hallmarks and weight must be checked on the watch. | ||
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=== Blue lacquer | === Blue lacquer dial === | ||
Blue lacquer dial with Maxi-format luminous markers, the oversized plots of the ceramic era, and Chromalight lume. The lacquer reads differently from the sunburst blues on the 116618LB and 116613LB. It is generally described as a deeper, more uniform blue than the sunburst dials used on some yellow-gold and Rolesor examples; photographs and lighting can change its appearance. | Blue lacquer dial with Maxi-format luminous markers, the oversized plots of the ceramic era, and Chromalight lume. The lacquer reads differently from the sunburst blues on the 116618LB and 116613LB. It is generally described as a deeper, more uniform blue than the sunburst dials used on some yellow-gold and Rolesor examples; photographs and lighting can change its appearance. | ||
White-gold markers and hands | [[File:Ref_116619LB_hero_2.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB|Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB]] | ||
White-gold markers and hands distinguish it from the yellow-gold 116618LB, whose blue dial uses gold surrounds in the cited examples. | |||
<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span> | <span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span> | ||
== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown == | == Case, bezel, crystal, and crown == | ||
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=== Bracelet === | === Bracelet === | ||
Full 18k white-gold Oyster ref.97209 with a Glidelock extension giving roughly 20mm of micro-adjustment. Finishing is brushed throughout, with none of the polished center links the 116618 and 116613 carry, which keeps the whole watch reading as steel. The bracelet | Full 18k white-gold Oyster ref.97209 with a Glidelock extension giving roughly 20mm of micro-adjustment. Finishing is brushed throughout, with none of the polished center links the 116618 and 116613 carry, which keeps the whole watch reading as steel. The cited examples use this bracelet configuration; service parts and later changes should be recorded from the individual watch. | ||
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See also the [[Reference:submariner|Submariner family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]]. | See also the [[Reference:submariner|Submariner family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]]. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | |||
File:Ref_116619LB_hero_2.webp|White-gold 116619LB with blue dial and bezel | |||
File:Ref_116619LB_detail.webp|Case and bezel detail | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
Revision as of 03:28, 29 September 2026
Submariner › 116619LB
The 116619LB is the white-gold Submariner Date with a blue dial and blue Cerachrom bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008 alongside the yellow-gold 116618, before ceramic bezels reached the steel Submariner in 2010. “Smurf” is a collector nickname for the blue-on-white-gold combination. The 40mm case uses caliber 3135 and a Glidelock-equipped white-gold Oyster bracelet.
The cited 116619LB records show a blue lacquer dial with a matching blue bezel throughout the reference. Diamond-marker examples and service replacements should be checked against the individual watch; the cited factory record does not establish a black-dial 116619LB.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 116619LB |
| family | Submariner Date |
| production | about 2008 to 2020 |
| movement | caliber 3135 (date, quick-set, 28800 bph, ~48hr power reserve) |
| case | 40mm, full 18k white gold, Super Case |
| crystal | sapphire with Cyclops |
| water resistance | 300m |
| bezel | 18k white gold with blue Cerachrom ceramic insert, platinum-filled numerals |
| lume | Chromalight (blue glow) |
| bracelet | 18k white gold Oyster ref.97209 with Glidelock |
| dial | blue lacquer, maxi format, white gold markers |
| rehaut | engraved ROLEX ROLEX |
| nickname | Smurf |
| predecessor | none (first white gold Submariner) |
| successor | 126619LB |
Where it sits in the line
The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold 116618, the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; Tom Mulraney's Submariner history for Monochrome (2020) puts the Rolesor 116613 at 2009 and the steel 116610 at 2010. Cerachrom had reached Rolex three years earlier, on the 2005 GMT-Master II 116718LN, per the same Monochrome history.
Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. Its white-gold case can look similar to steel in photographs, but the metal, hallmarks and weight must be checked on the watch.
Production outline
The 116619LB ran from 2008 to 2020, and the Basel introduction and the start of production fall in the same year: Christie's sold a V-serial example it dates to first-year 2008 manufacture (Watches Online: The Collector's Edition, 2020, lot 47), and Phillips describes the reference as Rolex's first serially produced white-gold Submariner (Game Changers, New York 2019, lot 33). The cited sources do not establish a complete mid-run change table or a Rolex production total.
Movement notes
Caliber 3135 throughout, the same movement used in the 116610, the 116613, and the 116618. Quick-set date, 28,800 vph, Microstella regulation, Parachrom blue hairspring. The steel, Rolesor, yellow-gold, and white-gold references use the same caliber family; the case, bezel, dial, and bracelet materials differ. The 126619LB successor moved to caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve.
Dial map
Blue lacquer dial
Blue lacquer dial with Maxi-format luminous markers, the oversized plots of the ceramic era, and Chromalight lume. The lacquer reads differently from the sunburst blues on the 116618LB and 116613LB. It is generally described as a deeper, more uniform blue than the sunburst dials used on some yellow-gold and Rolesor examples; photographs and lighting can change its appearance.
White-gold markers and hands distinguish it from the yellow-gold 116618LB, whose blue dial uses gold surrounds in the cited examples.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown
Case
40mm 18k white gold in Super Case proportions, with broader lugs than the five-digit era, full crown guards, and a Triplock crown sealing to 300m. The case back is solid 18k white gold. From across a room the blue dial and bezel do the identifying; the case reads as steel.
Bezel
Blue Cerachrom ceramic insert matched to the dial. Numerals and graduation marks are platinum-filled, where the 116618 uses gold filling to match its yellow-gold case; the platinum gives a silver-grey tone that sits with white gold. Cerachrom is more resistant to fading and scratching than aluminium, but ceramic can still chip or be damaged.
Crystal
Sapphire with Cyclops at 3 o'clock and anti-reflective coating on the inner surface.
Hallmarks
Hallmarks follow the standard Swiss precious-metal system. A 750 stamp indicates 18k, or 750 parts per thousand gold content. The St. Bernard "Barry" mark is the Swiss precious-metals stamp used post-1995, replacing the older Helvetia bust mark. Markings appear on the mid-case under the lugs, on the case back, and on bracelet blades.
Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes
Bracelet
Full 18k white-gold Oyster ref.97209 with a Glidelock extension giving roughly 20mm of micro-adjustment. Finishing is brushed throughout, with none of the polished center links the 116618 and 116613 carry, which keeps the whole watch reading as steel. The cited examples use this bracelet configuration; service parts and later changes should be recorded from the individual watch.
Special branches
The cited sources document one regular blue-dial configuration and no separate special branch. Dial finish and colour should still be checked against the individual watch and service history. The 116613LB and 116618LB both moved from flat to sunburst mid-production; the 116619LB's lacquer stayed constant.
Historical market and auction record
The 116619LB appears mainly in dealer and auction listings. Results vary with condition, bracelet size, papers, service history, and sale venue. The Bonhams and Antiquorum results listed below are individual data points; they do not establish a fixed premium over the yellow-gold 116618 or a universal market ranking.
Related references
- Submariner 116618: Yellow Gold (2008–2020)
- Submariner 116613: 2009–2020
- Submariner 116610LV: "Hulk", Green Dial (2010–2020)
- Submariner 116610LN: 2010–2020
- Submariner 114060: 2012–2020
- Submariner 16610LV: "Kermit", Green Bezel (2003–2010)
See also the Submariner family index, movement reference, bracelet & clasp guide, and serial numbers by year.
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White-gold 116619LB with blue dial and bezel -
Case and bezel detail
Sources
- History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date; Tom Mulraney, Monochrome
- The 1916 Company Smurf guide; The 1916 Company, The 1916 Company
- The Rolex Submariner: A Complete Collector's Guide; Stephen Pulvirent, Sotheby's
- Bob's Watches two-tone Submariner history; Bob's Watches editorial staff, Bob's Watches
- Gray & Sons Submariner Date history; Gray & Sons editorial, Gray & Sons
- Rolex Submariner Reference Guide; Professional Watches editorial, Professional Watches
- Rolex Ref. 116619LB, case V762980; Bonhams, "Evolutionary Time," Hong Kong, 2020-07-22, Lot 911
- Rolex Ref. 116619LB "Smurf," case V528909; Bonhams, Hong Kong online sale, 2024-04-05, Lot 1155
- Rolex Ref. 116619LB, case V712568; Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 2023-06-13, Lot 127
- Rolex Ref. 116619LB "Smurf," case V479064; Antiquorum, Monaco, 2026-06-28, Lot 154